On Saturday we went to a birthday party for a little friend. I think for children one of the best parts about leaving a party is the obligatory goody bag they get to take home. You never know what you will find inside (as a parent who has purchased goody bag items before, I know exactly what will be inside: junk)
This particular bag was equipped with stickers and paper, a slinky and a kaleidoscope. On the way home, in goes the finger into the kaleidoscope. It doesn’t come out. I tried everything I could think of when I got home – olive oil, ice water, pliers and scissors – nothing was working. Call the neighbors! they helped us before. No answer.
Call our other neighbors. Again ~ no answer.
This is only going to get worse before it gets better. I need to act fast. We returned to the birthday boy’s home and requested help. They were so wonderful! Steady hands, proper tools, calm and kind voices. It still took almost 20 minutes, but that thing was finally cut off (and none too soon- that finger had swelled to the size of a blimp!!)
So – that got me thinking. Have I put my finger in something that a finger doesn’t belong? Have I swelled up from the improper pressure? It was difficult for a 6 year od to sit there and allow his finger to be worked on – it was painful. there was fear of more pain. But! he trusted the skilled hands of his “rescuer”. He obeyed the voices of those trying to help him. He didn’t give in to fear.
God wants to remove those things in our lives that have latched on to us improperly. He is ready to hear us cry out in humility and ask for help. It will likely be painful, but the finger can still be saved from amputation!
On a side note: We have such good and caring friends who are ready at the drop of a hat to invest in our lives and our emergencies. Some folks are just like that. We praise God for putting such incredible people in our lives, in our memories and in our future.
